Monthly Archives: April 2006

Downsize DC Conference Call – April 30, 2006 edition

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

Today, on THE DOWNSIZE DC CONFERENCE CALL, Jim Babka will discuss the cost of the war on drugs, focusing on Rush Limbaugh’s latest arrest on drug charges, as well as a recording of drug war cops torturing a suspect in his home (Jim would play this tape for you, but cannot because of the anti-obscenity laws). He will also discuss the Cory Maye case, mandatory minimum sentencing and the children of politicians who have been caught with drugs.:::

You can hear the show at www.GCNLive.com. Click on Listen Live and choose one of the first two channels to get the free feed. You can also call-in to talk to Jim on the air at 1-800-259-9231 :::

The show is broadcast live at … :::Eastern: 5pm – 6pm :::Central: 4pm – 5pm :::Mountain: 3pm – 4pm :::Pacific: 2pm – 3pm :::Alaska: 1pm – 2pm :::Hawaii: Noon – 1pm :::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer.:::

Perry Willis:::Communications Director:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc. :::

Please check out Granite State ID, a site dedicated to the passage of HB1582, which will remove New Hampshire from participation in the federal REAL ID system. HB1582 already overwhelmingly passed the New Hampshire House, received a unanimous “Ought To Pass” recommendation from the Senate municipal affairs committee, and the promise of the Governor’s signature if passed by the Senate. But, it’s not a done deal. As Joel Winters has informed us, the Senate President “hates” the bill. The full New Hampshire Senate is taking it up next week, and we urge DC Downsizers who reside in that great state to tell your state Senators to pass HB1582, and to spread the word to your friends. This page will give you your Senator’s phone number and email address; all you have to do is click your town or district.::::::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

THE SALVADOR DALI RULE::::

Yesterday we celebrated our first victory in the House — the passage of a rule about how Congress would vote on the so-called lobbying reform bill. This rule prevented amendments to the bill and gave us hope that Downsize DC could escape burdensome new regulations. But we couldn’t figure out the impact of the rule just by reading it. We needed people who understand Congress-speak to interpret it for us. :::

Yesterday we gave you a link to go read the rule for yourself, so you could see how convoluted and confusing it is. Predictably, given how Congress seems to do everything, the link didn’t work. So today, for your amusement, horror, befuddlement, and maybe even enlightenment, we provide the text of the rule here. :::

You will notice two things about it. 1) Readings of the bills are constantly waved (we need the Read the Bills Act!). 2) The language about amendments to the bill is extremely confusing, convoluted, and seemingly contradictory. Salvador Dali could have written it. See if you can understand it . . .:::

Check out this letter from Laura Richardson to the The Prairie Star. It raises many good questions about the awful National Animal Identification System. The letter shouldn’t be copied verbatim, but if you would like to write your newspaper or representatives about NAIS, it provides many good “talking points” to get you started. ::::::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

VICTORY!:::

We won our first vote in the House yesterday! :::

The rule not to amend the so-called lobbying reform bill with provisions that would have regulated Downsize DC . . . passed!:::

Narrowly. The final tally was 216 to 207. And the vote was held open for a long time, which likely means there was a lot of arm twisting right up to the end.:::

We think your messages to Congress made a difference. We sent 12,303 total messages on this issue — 6.351 of them in just the past 3 days! Thank you!:::

When we started Downsize DC people on Capitol Hill told us we were needed for close votes just like this one. :::

Does this mean we’re out of the woods? Not yet. The Senate has already passed a version of this bill that does regulate Downsize DC. So now the fight moves to the conference committee, where we need to make sure the House version of the bill prevails. We’ll aim our attention in that direction next week. Meanwhile . . .:::

It would be instructive for you to read the rule that was passed yesterday. It’s only one paragraph long, but it is one of the most convoluted paragraphs ever written in the English language. It’s a perfect example of the surreal way Congress does business. You will also notice that the reading of the bill is waived, several times, in the course of this one Salvador Dali paragraph. Unfortunately . . .:::

The way Congressional materials are posted on the Internet is also surreal, so the link to this rule may not work by the time you click on it. And if you search by the House Resolution number (783) you’ll get something else with the exact same number. Why? Congress moves in mysterious ways. But give it a try. You may laugh. You may cry. You may do both at once. Here’s the link.:::

OUR GAS TANK::::

We still need $5,000 to pay for April. Contribute or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc. :::

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

URGENT ACTION::::

House Republicans don’t have the votes to pass the so-called lobbying reform bill. This might sound like good news, but it isn’t. They lack the votes because many in the House think the bill is too weak. One way to strengthen it is to regulate grassroots organizations like Downsize DC.:::

The Republicans are meeting behind closed doors right now to work out a deal. We must encourage those who are on our side to stand their ground in these negotiations. Please send Congress a message right now, telling them not to regulate groups like Downsize DC. You can do so here.:::

But don’t stop there. When you go to send your message our system will give you a phone number for your Representative. Write it down. Call your Representative after you send your message. Tell him or her to oppose the lobbying reform bill, and NOT amend it to regulate grassroots organizations. :::

This is very important! Please help!:::

OUR GAS TANK::::

We’re still $6,000 short of our financial needs for April. You can make a contribution or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you to the following recent donors::::

Elizabeth C Brierly, James Sopher, Shellie Benton

:::

Special thanks to the following DC Downsizers for starting new monthly pledges::::

J Billy Verplanck, Matthew Vest

:::

REMINDER::::

Write and then call your Representative to oppose regulation of Downsize DC.:::

Make a contribution or start a monthly pledge to keep Downsize DC moving forward.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .:::

We’ve soared past 300,000 messages to Congress! Congratulations DC Downsizers!:::

URGENT REMINDER #1::::

The Incumbent Protection Gang in Congress is trying to strangle Downsize DC with regulation. Don’t let them. Send Congress a message here.:::

URGENT REMINDER #2::::

We’re still short on our fundraising for April. Make a contribution or start a monthly pledge here.:::

Thank you for being a DC Downsizer!:::

Jim Babka:::President:::DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

Will Congress Regulate Downsize DC?

I’m issuing a simple challenge. It could win you a prize. ::::::Note: This message will be “sticky” at the top of this blog until May 24, 2006.::: :::Premise: Big government doesn’t work. ::::::By “doesn’t work,” I mean, it fails to deliver what the politicians promise. ::::::Therefore, I contend that,